TV at your control! (Sky Plus (Sky+))

Member Name: gememily

Product:	Sky Plus (Sky+)
Date:	05/10/08 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Record shows, pause live tv, watch tv how and when you want to.

Disadvantages: Can be quite pricey to set up - but remember to haggle!

Just imagine, your out at a party enjoying yourself, dancing the night away, when suddenly you remember your alltime favourite tv show is about to start! What a dilemma do you leave the party, go watch the show and regret it later? or do you stay and miss what could be the best episode ever? or do you set your sky plus box to record it and watch it later when you have the time?

Sky plus allows you to record any programme from live tv so that you can watch it at a later date or time. You can choose to watch it and delete it or save it so you can see those favourite tv moments over and over again.

Sky plus is so easy to use and at the touch of a button you can record your favourite up and coming tv programmes or films as well as pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding live tv!

So how do you get sky plus?
Basically, it is so easy. You pay a one of fee to sky in order for them to set up everything you need to receive sky plus, this includes a satellite dish outside your house and the sky plus box inside. The sky plus box is a small white box, about the size of a dvd player that sits just under your television. After the sky plus box has been set up you then pay a monthly charge to sky so that you can receive the channels you want from them. Sky gives you a choice of packages ranging from basic, which is actually not so basic with 100+ channels, to more comprehnsive packages where you receive sports channels and film channels. The choice is totally up to you about what you want to receive and what you don't and your choices will be reflcted in the price.

So what are the features of sky plus?
The main two features I have used are recording a show to watch it later. This gives you the option to record a show as you are watching it or reacord something that will be showing in the future. You also have the option of using the series link button which means at the push of a button you can set a whole series to record week after week.
The other feature I like to use a lot is live pause. Imagine you have just sat down to watch your favourite show and the doorbell rings. It is great Auntie Mable who has just called in for a coffee and a chat. Well just press the pause button on the remote and as soon as she has gone you are ready to pick up from where you left off. You also have the option to fast forward tv if you have paused it. You can fast forward it for as much time as has elapsed (its great when you are sick of watching adverts).

Other features that come with sky plus are anytime tv - this is a bank of programmes that the sky box automatically records so if you are totallu stuck for something to watch you can usually find it here.
You can also remotally record things using the internet or your mobile phone, so while you are at work or out partying you can set things to record so they are ready for you to watch when you get back home.

I have not included a break down of price here because there are so many different options which all come with a different price tag. The best place to look is the sky website.

The sky plus box normally sells for around £99, however if you are not in a rush to get sky plus it is worth keeping your eyes out because often sky runs promotions where they offer free sky plus boxes if you are a new customer to sky. You can also do some bartering with the sales guys and often get the price reduced quite significantly.

Summary: A great way to take control of the tv schedule and not let it control you!